Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has spoken out following the horrific injury he sustained during Bayern’s Club World Cup quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain, saying “no one is to blame” for the incident.

The 22-year-old Germany international suffered a fractured fibula along with a broken and dislocated ankle after a heavy collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma just before halftime. Musiala was stretchered off the pitch and later flown from Atlanta back to Munich, where he underwent successful surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for several months, missing the start of the upcoming season.

Despite the seriousness of the injury, Musiala took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a calm and positive message.

“The surgery went really well, I’m in good care and I wanted to say there’s no one to blame for this,” he wrote. “I think situations like this happen and now I’m just going to use the next period of time to build up my strength and positivity again.”

However, others in the Bayern camp were less forgiving. Club captain Manuel Neuer criticized Donnarumma, accusing the Italian keeper of recklessness.

“He’s willing to accept the risk of injuring his opponent,” Neuer said.

Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl echoed those concerns, saying, “There’s a big danger something can happen when a goalkeeper jumps in like that. The action was not without risk.”

Still, the club is rallying behind Musiala in his recovery.

“This serious injury and the lengthy lay-off are a real shock for Jamal and all of us,” Eberl said. “Jamal has just come back from an injury and will now be out for another long period. He’ll get everything he needs from us. We’ll support him intensively and already look forward to when he’s back on the pitch.”

Spain winger Nico Williams has signed a new 10-year contract with Athletic Bilbao, ending months of speculation linking him with moves to Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The 22-year-old’s previous deal was set to expire in 2027, but the new agreement will keep him at the Basque club until June 30, 2035. Athletic Bilbao also announced that his release clause—previously believed to be €62 million (£53 million)—has been increased by 50%.

“When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is the heart,” Williams said. “I’m where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”

Williams, who rose through Bilbao’s youth system alongside his older brother Iñaki Williams, made his senior debut in April 2021 at the age of 18. Since then, he has scored 31 goals in 167 appearances and was instrumental in helping Athletic finish fourth in La Liga last season, securing Champions League qualification for the 2025-26 campaign.

Internationally, Williams starred for Spain at Euro 2024, scoring in the final as La Roja defeated England 2-1 to claim the title.

His long-term commitment to Bilbao comes just days after reports emerged that Barcelona had agreed personal terms with the forward. The rumour sparked outrage among some Athletic fans, leading them to remove his image from a mural that also features his brother.

Athletic Bilbao further revealed that they recently met with La Liga officials to inquire about Barcelona’s financial capacity to make signings. This followed public statements by Barça sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta, both of whom confirmed the club’s interest in signing a player from Athletic’s squad.

La Liga’s strict “1:1 rule” restricts clubs like Barcelona from registering new players unless their spending matches their revenue. With this rule currently limiting Barça’s transfer flexibility, Williams’ renewal signals a firm stance from Bilbao in protecting their top talents from poaching.

By choosing to stay, Nico Williams not only shows loyalty to his club but also sets a powerful example of homegrown pride in the face of big-money suitors.

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for an initial fee of £46.5 million. The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract and becomes Pep Guardiola’s fourth signing of the summer, following Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Cherki.

Reijnders’ arrival comes just in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, with the midfielder eligible to make his debut on June 18 against Wydad AC.

“I’m ecstatic to be joining Manchester City,” said Reijnders. “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with the best manager, world-class players, and fantastic facilities. I want to contribute to more success in the years ahead.”

The Netherlands international, capped 23 times, had an impressive campaign with AC Milan last season, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions. His performances earned him the Serie A Midfielder of the Season award. Despite being left on the bench during the Netherlands’ recent 8–0 win over Malta, Reijnders’ form remains undeniable.

With Kevin De Bruyne departing the club, Reijnders is expected to provide much-needed strength and creativity in the middle of the park, as City look to bounce back from their third-place finish in the Premier League last season.

City Gear Up for Club World Cup with Major Reinforcements

Manchester City have made a clear statement of intent ahead of the expanded Club World Cup in the U.S., reinforcing their squad amid concerns over depth and key departures.

While initially linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, the club opted instead for a trio of signings—Reijnders, Cherki, and Ait-Nouri—at a combined cost of around £108 million, notably less than Wirtz’s reported €150m (£127m) asking price.

All three new additions, along with goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, will be available for selection as City begin their campaign against Moroccan side Wydad AC on June 18 in Philadelphia.

Reijnders Seen as Key Piece in Guardiola’s Evolving Midfield

Reijnders joins City during a period of transition, with several senior players likely to leave. Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker have all been linked with exits, while the futures of Ederson, Ortega, Ake, and Stones remain uncertain.

Guardiola’s midfield is undergoing a reshuffle, especially with long-serving players like Ilkay Gundogan gone, Bernardo Silva potentially departing, and Mateo Kovacic out injured. Despite the £50m acquisition of Nico Gonzalez in February, City’s midfield lacked dynamism and physical presence last season—areas Reijnders is expected to improve.

Turning 27 in July, Reijnders brings power and versatility to City’s midfield. Last season, he registered 10 goals and 4 assists in Serie A, with only Napoli’s Scott McTominay producing more goal contributions among midfielders (16).

He also ranked highly across key passing and ball-carrying metrics:

• 9th in Serie A for forward passes

• 5th for through balls and ball carries

• 7th for carries over 10 meters

Crucially, Reijnders led the league in sequences that led to a shot (205) and was second in secondary chances created (49), underlining his ability to orchestrate attacks and link up play in advanced areas.

“He’s the kind of player who’ll thrive under Guardiola,” said Italian football journalist Daniele Verri. “He covers a lot of ground, has improved significantly, and is eager to keep learning.”

Tactical Fit: A Perfect Match for Rodri

Former Premier League coach Edu Rubio believes Reijnders is a strong complement to Rodri in midfield.

“His energy, willingness to stretch defenses, and ability to operate in tight spaces make him a great fit for Guardiola’s system,” said Rubio. “His receiving skills and running power will bring a new dynamic to City’s midfield.”

However, Rubio noted that adapting to the Premier League’s fast-paced transitions will be key: “In a team that dominates possession, he’ll need to quickly learn when to push forward and when to hold his position.”